Liquid mixing device



Feb. ll, 1947.

E. ,1. RlEs ETAL.

LIQUID MIXING DEVICE Filed Feb.- 18, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVIENTORS T/Ward Cfaes B rzlazrEZru/ze Feb.11,19475. E,J R.Es ETAL 2,445,534

LIQUID MIXING DEVICE Patented Feb. 1, 19457 LIQUID ING DEVICE Edward J. Ries, Brighton, and Lennart H. Brune, Rochester, N. Y., assignors to Ritter Company, Inc., Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application February 18, 1944, Serial No. 522,990

8 Claims.

Ihis invention relates to devices for forming liquid mixtures or solutions, such, for example, as miXtures'of water and antiseptic solutions used in the operation of water syringes and for other uses in the dental and medical fields, one object of the invention being to provide an improved device of the above character capable of being more easily and quickly manipulated for forming and controlling the strength of desired liquid mixtures.

Another object is to provide such a device having ka construction adapted to produce a desired mixture in uniform strength .and substantially independently of variations in the pressure of the water service system with which it is employed.

Another object is to provide a device of the character indicated with improved and more convenient means for lling the same with a charge of antiseptic solution.

Another object is to provide a device of the above nature in a more simple, self-contained and eliicient type of construction adapted to be manufactured more easily and economically.

To these and other ends the invention resides in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at the end of the specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mixing device embodying the present invention and illustrating the manner of lling or charging the same;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, sectional plan view on the line 30a-3a in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, central, sectional elevation on the line :la-4a in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of parts shown in Fig. 4, with additional portions shown in section, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view on the line 5cc-6a in Fig. 4.

The embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, by way of illustration, comprises, preferably, a vertically arranged and generally cylindrical liquid container I0, Figs. 1 and 4, having cylindrical side walls II of uniform diameter, which may be conveniently made of transparent glass or plastic material for inspection of the condition of the contents. The ends of the container are closed by top and .bottom closures,-or heads, I2 and I3, respectively, which may be conveniently manufactured as metal castings, each formed with an annular recess, or channel, as I4,

i iitting over the corresponding end of the side walls, with interposed sealing gaskets, as I5, of

rubber or the like. A tie rod I6 having a. head I1 is passed through a central opening in the bottom closure I3 and threadedly engaged at its upper end in an opening in the top closure i2, as shown, for -drawing the heads together and against the side walls, to tightly close and seal the container.

Container I0 is divided into two compartments by a piston I 8, Fig. 4, having a central hub i9 slidably surrounding tie rod l5 and serving as a guide bearing thereon. The piston is preferably formed by two plates having threaded central openings engaged with a threaded central portion 20 of hub I9 for securing the plates thereon. The peripheral portions of the plates are reduced in thickness to provide a peripheral recess 2l for the reception of hydraulic packing sheets 22, of the double lip type, spreading outwardly in opposite directions against the inner surface of the side walls I I, so as to be automatically maintained in sealing contact therewith under pressure, as well understood in the art. The piston is thus free to slide longitudinally from end to end of the container in response to differences in pressure on the opposite sides thereof.

The top closure I2 is preferably cored to contain several liquid passages. One of these is a conduit 23, Figs. 4, 5, and 6, comprising a threaded nipple 2A for connection by any suitable means with a service water system or other source of suitable water pressure, as indicated by the pipe connection 25 in Fig. 1. From such connection conduit 23 extends downwardly in the closure t2 into communication with a transverse branch 26 which opens at one end through a side of the closure and has at its other end an angular branch 2l terminating in a threaded outlet nipple 2S for connection, by any suitable means, with a thermo-water heater and spray nozzle, or other apparatus to be supplied with the mixture. The antiseptic solution is mixed with the water in the branch 26 of conduit 23, which serves as the mixing chamber, as hereafter described.

The antiseptic solution is supplied, by means hereafter described, to the upper compartment 29 of the container above piston I8, to which pressure is applied, and the means for delivering the solution therefrom to the mixing chamber in conduit 23 comprises, preferably, a passageway, or conductor, 3d, formed in the top closure I2. Conductor 38 opens downwardly through the top closure into compartment 2g through a check valve comprising a housing k3| Vformed.with a seat controlled by a spring actuated ball valve 32, as shown, which may have any known or suitable construction, permitting the flow of the solution upwardly through conductor 3d but obstructing flow in the opposite direction, to prevent entry of water to compartment 29.

Conductor S is preferably formed with a tapered seat 33, Fig. 5, cooperating with a needlelike valve body 34 having in one side wall thereof a longitudinal slot 35 slidably embracing a pin 38 xed on the closure, so a-s to hold valve 3d, against rotation. The valve carries a stem 31 threadedly engaged in a bore in the lower end of an operating rod 58. Rod 38 is rotatably supported in bearings in a pair of plugs 39 and 45, threadedly engaged in the opposite ends of a packing chamber 4l in the closure. Suitable packing E is compressed about rod 38 between the plugs 39 and 40 to seal in the liquid. Rod 38 has an enlarged lower end S3 abutting against plug 39, and its upper end has fixed thereon, as by means of a set screw 44, a handle "i5 for turning the rod to move the valve toward and from its seat. Rod 38 is thus held against longitudinal movement, and a plate 55, ixed on the closure below the handle, is suitably marked with graduations, to indicate the dierent positions of the handle corresponding to the dierent positions of adjustment of the valve.

Conductor 30 intersects and communicates with the transverse branch 2B of conduit 23 near its outer end which is closed by a screw plug 41. inwardly of the intersection with conductor Sil, conduit branch 25 is threaded, as at 48, and engaged by the enlarged threaded end of a tube 49, the opposite end of which is positioned in the branch 26 of the conduit. This end of tube d5 has an external diameter which is somewhat smaller than the diameter of the passage 26, so as to form an annular constricted portion in branch 2E through which the water flowing from the conduit acquires increased velocity and a correspondingly reduced pressure, whereby liquid is aspirated from the tube 59. The antiseptic solution is supplied through tube @9 under pressure created in chamber 29 by means hereafter described and its discharge from the tube into the water is further induced by said reduced water pressure, the end of the tube thus serving as a nozzle 59 for discharging the solution into the water in the mixing chamber.

The means for applying pressure to the antiseptic solution comprises a connection between the lower chamber 5l of the container and the same source of water pressure to which the conduit 23 is connected. To this end, bottom closure i3 has an opening 52 therein, Fig. 3, connected by a pipe 53 with a port in the tapered interior 5e of a valve housing 55 offset laterally from the bottom closure beyond the cylindrical side wall i I, as shown. The valve housing is formed with an opposite port with which is connected a pipe 56, Figs. l and 3, for connection with said source of water pressure. rihe bottom closure is provided also with an outlet opening 5l, Fig. 3, connected by a pipe 58 with a port in one side of housing 55, the opposite side of which is formed with a similar port and with a pipe 59 leading therefrom to a discharge outlet. Rotatably contained in housing 55 is a tapered valve body Gil having a port 6! opening therethrough for connecting the inlet pipes 53 and 56 and also a port B2, for connecting the outlet pipes 58 and 59. Valve body El) is kept seated by a coiled spring 63 maintained under compression by a cap 64 screwed into the housing. The upper end of the valve body has a squared socket 65, engaged by the squared lower end of a spindle 65, operated by means hereafter described. It will be noted that the inlet and outlet ports of the valve housing are alined with one another vertically, while the ports 6l and 52 of the valve body are at right angles with each other, so that when the valve is moved to position to connect compartment 5I with the source of water pressure, its outlet is closed and vice versa.

The means for supplying antiseptic solution to the upper compartment 2S of the container comprises, preferably, a passageway 6l leading to a port in the interior o a valve housing iii! which is oiset laterally beyond the side wall Il of the container in vertical alinement with the lower valve housing 55. Housing 68 is provided with an opposite port with which is connected an upwardly extending pipe 59 terminating in a filling spout l. Chamber 29 is likewise provided with means for venting the same, comprising a passage 'H formed in the top closure and leading to a port in the side ci valve housing E58, the opposite side of which has a similar port connected with a pipe l2 opening to atmosphere, these housing ports being vertically alined. The tapered interior of valve housing 68 receives a tapered valve 'i3 formed with vertically alined port openings l'li and i5, adapted to be registered with the ports of the iilling passage Eil and the venting passage il, respectively. Valve body i3 is held seated by a coiled spring '15, maintained under pressure by a cap 'screwed into the open end of the housing, as shown.

It will be seen from this construction that valve body 'i3 may be turned to register its port openings with the passages 6T and il, in which position the antiseptic solution may be supplied to chamber 29 through the filling spout l5, the chamber being 'simultaneously vented to release the air. After filling the compartment, valve body 'i3 is rotated through 90, thereby simultaneously closing the filling and vent passages El and l. Such positions of the valve body are determined by a sto-p pin 'i8 fixed thereon and engaging opposite lugs, as 19, on the closure.

For connecting and operating the valves, the lower end of the valve body 'I3 has a square socket Sii in which is engaged the 'squared upper end of the spindle 55 which is similarly engaged at its lower end with the valve 513. Surrounding and pinned to the intermediate portion of the spindle is a hub Si carrying a curved handle B2 for rocking the same. The valve bodies SG and i3 are assembled in such relation on the spindle that when valve i3 is turned to close the lling and vent openings, as shown in Fig. 4, valve 6i? is turned to connect the lower chamber 5l with the source of water pressure and close its outlet, this being the operating position in which handle 82 lies close to the lwall of the container. By swinging handle 82 outwardly, the spindle is rocked to rotate the valves simultaneously, so that lower chamber 5l is disconnected from the source of pressure and connected to discharge, while the filling and vent openings of the upper chamber 2e are opened for recharging it with antiseptic solution.

Filling spout iii preferably has its inner side walls threaded, as at 33, Fig. l, and is provided with a detachable funnel Sil, for cooperation with a supply bottle S5 having a correspondingly threaded neck, so that the bottle may be opened and inverted and threadedly engagedwith the lling spout While the solution flows into the upper chamber, the threads of the spout being preferably provided with a notch (not shown) to permit the entrance of relief air into the bottle.

In operation, lwith handle S2 pulled outwardly, a supply bottle is inverted and applied to the iilling spout and the antiseptic solution flows into the upper compartment 29, driving the piston i8 to the lower end of the container. When lling is completed, handle 82 is turned to lie substantially against the container, thereby simultaneously closing the filling and Vent openings and connecting the lower compartment with the source of water pressure and closing its outlet, the water pressure being transmitted by the piston to the antiseptic solution above it. The same water pressure being applied to conduit 23, valve handle i5 is turned to open the regulating needle valve 3d to supply the desired proportion of antiseptic solution. On a demand for the mixture created by operation of the syringe, or other equipment to be supplied with the mixture, the antiseptic 'solution is discharged into the branch conduit 2E from the nozzle 53 under pressure from the same source which supplies conduit 23, so that any iluctuations in such pressure are transmitted equally to both the water and the antiseptic solution. The described reduction in the pressure of the water at the tip of the nozzle 5@ through which the antiseptic solution is supplied, serves to maintain a pressure in the nozzle higher than that of the water in which the nozzle discharges, so as to insure a positive discharge of the solution during all periods of demand for the mixture. The relative proportions of the ingredients are readily controlled by the setting of the handle i5 of the regulating valve 34, and when set to correspond with a predetermined strength of mixture, the proportions are uniformly maintained, by the means described, substantially independently of any fluctuations in the pressure of the water supply.

As will be apparent from the above description, the invention provides a device by means of Which the proportions of the ingredient liquids may be easily and conveniently controlled, and by which a selected strength of mixture is automatically and eiciently maintained. By supplying the device with warm or cold water, or

by using it to operate a thermo-water syringe,

for example, the mixture may be supplied in either warm or cold condition, and, if desired at any time, the antiseptic solution may be entirely cut off by means of valve handle 5, so

that water alone is supplied. The construction' is also oi such a character as to be quickly and easily filled with the liquid to be mixed with the water supply, the connections for that purpose being simultaneously adjusted by means of the single handle 82. The construction, furthermore, is compact and self-contained and adapted to be readily and economically manufactured.

It will thus be seen that the invention accomplishes its objects, and While it has been herein disclosed in connection with the details oi' a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that such disclosure is intended in an illustrative, rather than a limiting sense, as it is contemplated that various modiiications and changes in the construction and arrangement of the parts will readily occur to those skilled in the art within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

l. A solution forming device comprising a container having a piston movable therein and dividing said container into separate compartments, a pipe for connecting one of said compartments with aA source of water under prespipes and closing the other thereof, a conduit in said device for connection with said source and having an outlet and a constricted portion for producing therein a region of increased velocity and reduced pressure, means provided with a valve for lling the other of said compartments with an ingredient for said solution, and for con-- necting it with the atmosphere, a conductor communicating with said other compartment and with said region of reduced water pressure for delivering said ingredient thereto, and a valve in said conductor to regulate the flow of said ingredient therethrough, for forming said solution uniformly in a strength regulated by said conductor valve.

2. A solution forming device comprising a container having a piston movable therein and dividing said container into separate compartments, means including a Valve for connecting one of said compartments with a source of water under pressure and with a discharge outlet, a conduit in said device for connection with said source and having an outlet, means provided with a valve for lling the other of said compartments with an ingredient for said solution and for connecting said other compartment with the atmosphere, a single means for simultaneously opening and closing said valves, a conductor communicating with said other compartment and having a nozzle located in and constricting said conduit for forming therein a region of increased velocity and reduced pressure for inducing the flow of said ingredient from said nozzle, and a valve in said conductor to regulate the flow of said ingredient therethrough, for forming said solution uniformly with a strength predetermined by the adjustment of said conductor valve, substantially independently of variation in the pressure of said source of Water.

3. A solution forming container comprising cylindrical side walls of uniform inner diameter having end closures applied thereto, said side walls being formed of transparent material to visibly expose the contents thereof, a tie rod within said container connecting said closures and provided with means for drawing the same against the ends of said side walls to close and seal the container ends, a piston having a guide bearing on said rod, said piston being movable longitudinally or" said container and dividing the same into separate compartments, means for connecting one of said compartments with a source of Water under pressure, a conduit in one of said end closures for connection with said source and with an outlet, means for lling the other of said compartments with an ingredient for said solution, a conductor communicating with said other compartment and with said co-nduit for delivering said ingredient thereto, and a valve in said conductor to regulate the low of said ingredient therethrough, for forming said solution uniformly in predetermined strength.

4. A solution forming container comprising cylindrical side walls having top and bottom closures applied thereto, a piston movable therein and dividing said container into separate compartments, a pipe provided with a valve extending through said bottom closure for connecting one of said compartments with a source of Water under pressure, a pipe provided with a valve extending through said bottom closure for connecting said one of the compartments With a discharge outlet, a single means for simultaneously opening one of said pipe valves and closing the other thereof, a conduit formed in said top closure for connection With said source and having an outlet and a constricted portion for producing therein a region of increased velocity and reduced pressure, means formed in said top closure and provided with a valve for filling the other of said compartments With an ingredient for said solution, means formed in said top closure and provided with a valve for venting said other compartment to atmosphere, a single means for simultaneously opening and closing said valves, a conductor formed in said top closure to cornmunicate with said other compartment and with said region of reduced water pressure for delivering said ingredient thereto, and a valve cooperating With a seat in said conductor to regulate the flow of said ingredient therethrough, for forming said solution uniformly in predetermined strength.

5. A solution forming container comprising cylindrical side walls having top and bottom closures applied thereto, said side walls being formed of transparent material to visibly expose the contents thereof, a tie rod within said container connecting said closures to hold the same on said side walls, a piston having a guide bean ing on said rod, said piston being movable longitudinally of said container and dividing the same into separate compartments, means communicating through said bottom closure for connecting one of said compartments with a source of Water under pressure and with a discharge outlet, a conduit extending through said top closure for connection with said source and having an outlet and a constricted portion for producing therein a region of increased velocity and reduced pressure, a passageway formed in said top closure and provided with a valve and a filling spout for lling the other of said compartments with an ingredient for said solution, a passageway formed in said top closure and provided with a valve for venting the same to atmosphere, a single means for simultaneously opening and closing said passageway valves, a conductor extending through said top closure and communicating with said other compartment and with said region of reduced Water pressure for delivering said ingredient thereto, and a valve cooperating with a seat in said conductor to regulate the flow of said ingredient therethrough, for uniformly producing said solution in predetermined strength substantially independently of variation in the pressure of said source of Water.

6. A solution forming container having a piston movable therein and dividing said container into separate compartments, conducting means provided with valve means for connecting one of said compartments with a source of water under pressure and with a discharge outlet, a conduit in said container for connection with said source and having an outlet, a conductor communicating with the other of said compartments and with said conduit for delivering an ingredient into said conduit, means for regulating the Fllovv e of said ingredient, openings for iilling said other compartmentI with said ingredient for said solution and' for venting the same to atmosphere, valve means for controlling said openings, and a single means for simultaneously operating all of said valves.

7. A solution forming containei` comprising cylindrical side Walls having top and bottom closures applied thereto, a piston movable in said container and dividing the same into separate compartments, said closures being formed with valve housings offset laterally beyond said side Walls, means extending through the valve housing of said bottom closure for connecting one of said compartments with a source of water under pressure and with a discharge outlet, vaive means in said bottom closure housing for controlling said connecting means, a conduit in one of said closures for connection with said source and having an outlet, means extending through the valve housing of said top closure for iilling the other of said compartments with ingredient for said solution and for venting the same to atmosphere, valve means in said top closure housing for controlling said iilling and venting means, a conductor communicating with said other compartment and with said conduit for delivering said ingredient thereto, means for regulating the ilow of said ingredient, and a single means for simultaneously operating all of said valve means.

8. A solution forming container comprising cylindrical side walls having top and .bottom closures applied thereto, a piston movable in said container and dividing the saine into separate compartments, said closures being formed with valve housings oiset laterally beyond said side walls, means extending through valve housing of said bottom closure for connecting one of said compartments with a source of Water under pressure and with a discharge outlet, a valve body in said bottom closure housing provided vvitn ports for controlling said means, a conduit in one of said closures 'for connection With said source and having an outlet, means extending through the valve housing of said top closure for iilling the other of said compartments with an ingredient for said solution and for venting the same to atmosphere, a valve body in said top closure housinf provided with ports for controlling said filling and venting means, a conductor communicating with said other compartment and with said condu i for delivering said ingredient thereto, means for regulating the ovv of said ingredient, a spindle connecting the valve bodies of said valve housings, and a handle ior rotating said spindle and sii'nultaneously operating said valve bodies.

EDWARD J RIES. LENNART i-I. BRUNE.

REFERENCES CTTED The following references are oi record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,006,016 Spayd et al Oct. 17, 1911 1,590,430 Erby June 29, 1926 1,754,710 Davenport Apr. 15, 193) 1,578,944 Wilkinson Mar. 30, 1926 

